Temeljna svrha rada bila je analizirati osnovna proizvodna i ekonomska obilježja maslinarstva u obiteljskim poljoprivrednim gospodarstvima kao nositeljima maslinarske proizvodnje, kako bi se dobio uvid u njihov gospodarski položaj i razvojne perspektive. U radu su korištene sljedeće metode: anketa, standardne metode deskriptivne statistike i SWOT analiza. Anketiranje je provedeno na području Dalmacije gdje je smješteno oko 80% proizvodno–preradbenih kapaciteta hrvatskog maslinarstva. Anketirana obiteljska poljoprivredna gospodarstva u prosjeku imaju 121 stablo masline, najčešće na 3 odvojene parcele s dominacijom ekstenzivnog načina uzgoja, dok je gospodarski položaj većine maslinara relativno povoljan. Rezultati SWOT analize pokazuju da strateške razvojne aktivnosti treba usmjeriti tako da maksimalno iskoriste povećano zanimanje za podizanje i obnovu maslinika kao i povoljne uvjete potpore i financiranja, kako bi se umanjila dominacija ekstenzivnog načina uzgoja s velikim kolebanjem priroda i uvozna ovisnost te izbjegle prijetnje globalnog institucionalnog i tržišnog pritiska.The major aim of the study was to analyse the basic production and economic characteristics of olive production on family farms, so as to get an insight into their economic situation and development perspectives. The following methods were used in the study: survey, standard methods of descriptive statistics and the SWOT analysis. A survey was conducted in the area of Dalmatia where there are 80% of production and processing capacities of Croatian olive production. The family farms surveyed have 121 olive trees on average, usually in three (3) separate lots, using predominantly extensive cultivation method. Most of the olive growers’ economic situation is relatively satisfactory. The results of the SWOT analysis show that the strategic development activities should attempt to make the most of the increased interest in olive groves establishment and regeneration, along with the more favourable terms of support and funding to decrease the prevalent domination of the extensive method of olive cultivation in respect to the yield oscillation and dependence on imports, avoiding threats of the global institutionalization and market pressures
